BBK Comparison thread: Brembo vs. StopTech vs. AP Racing

[Equinox]

anyone actually sell the AP Racing BBK other than Stillen?

[travisjb]

Originally Posted by Equinox

anyone actually sell the AP Racing BBK other than Stillen?

I believe it is exclusive but you could always call ap racing and find out for sure...

[Josh@STILLEN]

STILLEN is the North American exclusive importer for AP Racing road brake kits.. but it goes much beyond that.

We co-develop brake kits utilizing AP Racing components. AP Racing is in the UK, and develop kits for US vehicles using our R&D and engineering staff at STILLEN.

AP Racing BBKs are available throughout the network of STILLEN dealers, a lot of whom are forum sponsors here, such as Forged Performance, Vivid Racing, and potentially even your local Nissan dealership, depending on the specific one and location, but any of them can get them if you'd prefer to have your dealership purchase and install them.

If you're looking for someone specific, feel free to PM me and I'd be happy to help if you're looking for a local dealer.

[MightyBobo]

Status of mind after reading whole thread: blown.

[imag]

Originally Posted by MightyBobo

Status of mind after reading whole thread: blown.

Yeah - Gary and Chris really outdid themselves on this one. I'm hoping it nets both companies some brake sales...

[Equinox]

I'm doing an autocross event this sunday, and I'll decide then, if I want to upgrade to the AP Racing 6 pot and 2-peice rotors. My Wife's Pontiac G8 GXP has the 6-pot Brembo calipers stock, and they are a lot better than my Akebono

[ChrisSlicks]

Originally Posted by Equinox

I'm doing an autocross event this sunday, and I'll decide then, if I want to upgrade to the AP Racing 6 pot and 2-peice rotors. My Wife's Pontiac G8 GXP has the 6-pot Brembo calipers stock, and they are a lot better than my Akebono

The Akebono's do fine at the average length auto-x (e.g. 60 seconds) with an average number of runs (3-4). In longer sessions of 2+ minute runs and 5-runs you can definitely cook them to 800+ degrees and the stock style pads no longer work. At that point you have to swap in track pads such as the Carbotech. Forget the Hawk HP+, the MOT is too low and the grabiness freaks out the ABS.

[vividracing]

+1 Josh!

[Josh@STILLEN]

Just curious to your relationship with Alliance.. you've spent a good amount of time promoting their products, was it a sponsorship deal or more?

Not trying to be harsh, it's just nice to know if statements like this come from personal experience, such as a lot of information in this thread, or if it's just because someone really likes a company or products because of a personal relationship.

[bullitt5897]

Originally Posted by Josh@STILLEN

Just curious to your relationship with Alliance.. you've spent a good amount of time promoting their products, was it a sponsorship deal or more?

Not trying to be harsh, it's just nice to know if statements like this come from personal experience, such as a lot of information in this thread, or if it's just because someone really likes a company or products because of a personal relationship.

Mike has personally used the product on his 350z so he speaks from experience.

[Josh@STILLEN]

Originally Posted by bullitt5897

Mike has personally used the product on his 350z so he speaks from experience.

Cool! I would assume Mike is 'battlewagon'.. I would also assume people would get more out of his experience than making statements of throwing down paychecks as a testament..

The reason that people can look to brands like AP Racing (yes, we develop kits with AP products, and brought Brembo to the aftermarket brake market originally) and Brembo is the established, timeless professional racing pedigree where money is no option, and performance is crucial.

Other brands pop up all the time.. and unfortunately not always to the quality needed to perform when pushed.. Especially when the country of origin can come into play. (general statement, not about a particular brand)

Anyone going to the track looks at pedigree, and technology into the development of brake products.. much beyond the looks involved with a kit, which was Chris' original statement.

[Mike]

Originally Posted by Josh@STILLEN

Other brands pop up all the time.. and unfortunately not always to the quality needed to perform when pushed.. Especially when the country of origin can come into play.

I agree, one just has to walk down the aisles at SEMA and AAPEX to see all the no name cheap caliper companies and the foreign manufacturers who will make your own brand for you on the cheap with no testing at all.

[Mike]

Originally Posted by Josh@STILLEN

Other brands pop up all the time.. and unfortunately not always to the quality needed to perform when pushed.. Especially when the country of origin can come into play.

I agree, one just has to walk down the aisles at SEMA and AAPEX to see all the no name cheap caliper companies and the foreign manufacturers who will make your own brand for you on the cheap with no testing at all.

I just powdercoated a set of calipers called WP Pro for a guy. These were the worst things I have ever seen. Machine screws holding a finishing plate around the tiny pistons and shrink wrap tubing to insulate the crossover tube!


Not knocking Alliance, I know nothing about them.

[AP - Chris_B]

Originally Posted by Mike

I agree, one just has to walk down the aisles at SEMA and AAPEX to see all the no name cheap caliper companies and the foreign manufacturers who will make your own brand for you on the cheap with no testing at all.

I just powdercoated a set of calipers called WP Pro for a guy. These were the worst things I have ever seen. Machine screws holding a finishing plate around the tiny pistons and shrink wrap tubing to insulate the crossover tube!

I see them every year as well. Now, due to the struggling economy, they are desperate enough to offer any tuner a 10 car set deal to get their own logo on the calipers right out of Taiwan or India. The Chinese just copy the big names logo and all! So now almost anyone can be in the "brake business" overnight. Let's just hope they are all keeping current on their product liability insurance payments...

[ChrisSlicks]

Originally Posted by Josh@STILLEN

Anyone going to the track looks at pedigree, and technology into the development of brake products.. much beyond the looks involved with a kit, which was Chris' original statement.

Thank you Josh, that was the general point I was trying to make. When you go to the track you want a company with reputation to stand behind you. Alliance is essentially unknown here in the US (seem to be from somewhere in Asia). Maybe they will be able to build a reputation at the track, and hopefully for them they do, but so far there isn't any reliable data other than a couple of enthusiasts doing a single track day. Much more data would be required before I would be willing to invest in such a critical component.